Why You Should be Proud of Studying in USA

Studying in USA always comes with a cost. Cost will be both physical and mental –

Staying away from your family

Cost of education

learning to live life in new world

many more

Despite the cost, you have to be proud of what you have accomplished so far and goals you are trying to reach. Lets look at the impact to your family, as the result of your education in USA.

Respect

Your mom and dad will be ones who will feel proud when you are studying in USA. Even though they are going to miss you a lot, they know for the fact that your family status is going to go one step above. More relatives and friends will respect them just for your accomplishment. Of-course “US-Return” stamp adds more value to you when you go hunting for a (bride/groom).

Money

Your parents will be spending ton of money for your education in USA. But, they know when you start earning money after graduation, their financial status is going to go up a notch. Every parent wants their son and daughters to have a better life then theirs. That’s what every parent strives to provide to their kids through better education.

First Flight and Tears

When you say good-bye to them in the airport for the first time when you fly to USA, your entire family and friends will watch you leave. They will cry (mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, brothers, sisters, ..) but they know for the fact, the minute you say good-bye to them, your life, their life is goign to change for good.

Even after several years, when I board the flight, I can see my parents tears. First few hours in the flight is always tough.

Students like you going to USA for the first time, it will be exciting journey to remember. I still remember my trip in Business Class in Lufthansa (overbook flight, so I got business class ticket still Frankfurt). That was my first time in flight and I was up for entire trip, watching the flight tracking screen, distance to destination, different countries air space, .. I still remember when I saw Kuwait and when flight went through the rain clouds before landing in Frankfurt and it started raining.

End of the day, your life will be better than your parents. Your efforts have taken your family to next step in the soci0-economic ladder. You need to feel proud about your accomplishment.

Comments

Although, I had been to USA last semester, it was as a part of Exchange program, not as a graduate student.Indeed, it was a short trip from Jan 2010 to May 2010. When, it came to departure from Mumbai Intl. airport, I was rather happy than emotional. 😛 My parents gave a casual Bye, when I departed. Airport authorities do follow rigorous check of cabin and other luggage.Better you read about allowed items and specified weight limit for the airlines you are using. my advice would be NOT to carry DAL, CHAWAL, spices like stuff.It unnecessarily increases weight. US people do eat.Lots of good food courts are available in university campus.so try to merge with their food and adopt their food habits.

I had booked Qatar airways, and it was simply awesome.Good food, Liquor and excellent cabin crew.

I noted the drastic difference in people's mentality. I saw people (Indian) behaving haphazardly and rudely while collecting their luggage from conveyor belt at Mumbai airport, the people at Dallas Intl.airport( US people) were courteous and polite while collecting luggage.

Don't live in a shell, open up!! If you are going to live in an apartment, make sure that you have European, Canadian roommates.they are more friendly and fun loving than Indians.opposite gender roommates are very common in US and don't make taboo about it.(In India, I hardly see any Co ed dorm :P….don't know why)

I did NOT burden my parents for my US stay.I am of the opinion that if you have done enough hard work in your undergraduate studies, then you will definitely fetch a scholarship.No point is going to US just because you have got an admit, that too from some lower ranked university.I did tutoring jobs to cover my rent and food expenses. So my trip was NOT a FINANCIAL BURDEN for my parents.

Finally: Please be self dependent.Earn and learn.Mix with local community.Go to church on Sundays and offer prayers!!! Believe me ,If you follow this lifestyle in USA, it is much better than living only with Indians!!

Just getting admit, is not enough.Even if you get funding from a lower ranked university, that is really nice.It shows that you have good credentials and university welcomes you with red carpet.Believe me, when you have a funding , you can totally concentrate on academics and would not struggle to save each cent. 😛

If you get just admit without funding, then you might tempt to cover your tuition fees by working part time. It could be a big headache ,as hourly wages are roughly 8-10 $ and on F1 visa, you can work for maximum 20 hours a week.So you can earn maximum 700-800 USD per month.This amount is marginal when you compare it with your semester tuition fees.

So, my advice would be look for funding, let it be some lower ranked university.If you produce good outputs in form of research papers, conferences and patents, then no recruiter will pay attention to your university ranking.

Im planning for fall 2011 intake for MS in pharmacy..so im having my TOEFL on 27th of this month and GRE on 14th of Dec. Im very nervous and worried abt the xamz …so, plz wud u suggest some useful tips for the prepartion of both toefl and gre…hpe to hear from u soon ..

I am planning to study in USA next year fall. I have been thinking a lot about the pros and cons. My friends who have been there paint a negative picture telling me how hard things will be once i go there. Honestly I don't want to be a financial burden on my family. More so because now my dad has retired. Since you have been there, I thought I'd better ask you about your experience.

I would also like to know what course are you into currently. How is the education there? Overall environment? What kind of financial aids will i get?

Pls.I sat for my GRE on November 8 2010(730q,550v)I dont know which universities i should send my score reports to.I am am looking for low cost of living areas as well as job prospects too.I am taking toefl on dec. 3 and applying for fall 2011.I think I will be okay with 4 mid-tier universities.I am looking forward to studying Telecoms or Communication Engineering(Electrical Engineering).Pls i am confused.

HSB dam true… each point u have made is fantastic,,, tears , status, groom, 1st memories….. hm nice,,, this will be so many peoples dream,,, even i am one such,, looking forward at sep 2011,, waiting for that day,, in the mean time wishing all a very good luck and HSB good update!!!

hi HSB not very intelligent article.I am extremely sorry to say this but because i really admire the exceptional information that i get through your blog i felt free to even write this comment on this article.

All things were true may be 20 yrs ago. But now it is very simple- do not spend money on USA education – unless you are sure quite sure of the returns. Yes US is could place if your education is sponsored through assistantship. 🙂

Hi HSB, It certainly brought tears to my eyes;as parent whose both kids went to US after school it has been a hard time for us alone.But every word u said is true and that itself gives us lot of happiness and satisfaction.Parent's do give up lot of comforts to make their children happy and all they expect from them in return is "LOVE". To get respect from me is the hardest thing in life but I honestly admire u a lot for your unselfish zeal. I have each one of your blog for the past 2 yrs or so in a separate file.I wish u all the best and pray that u continue with same zeal.GOD BLESS YOU

Hi,when I was reading this post, I remember all my 30 hrs journey from hyderabad to Oklahoma City. I was simply adventerous .Throughtout the journey ,I was running on airports because of delays in flight. Usually when somebody is in rush we asked them are you rushing for flight. But I really realised it on the airport of Dubai and Chicago that what does really mean "RUSHING". I and my friend was walking on Dubai airport for 2 hrs and we even couldnt realised it because of its hugeness and when we realized then one officer told us that our flight is about to take off and we were not having our boarding passes also..and then we started running like as if we were running in Olympics race …n get down in plane. Somehow we reached to Frakfurt.

Next adventure was reaching to Chicago where I reached late by 1.5 hr because of delay in flight from Frakfurt because of bad wheather . Chicago airport is always know for long waiting in immigration line. I stuck with same thing there was just 1 hr time for my next flight. Somehow I pleaded people to allow me go first. Then after clearing immigration I was unable to locate my baggage.On d other end my friend was watining for me to reach there.Because of all these mess we were unable to locate each other.One officer suggest me to do baggage claim at destination airport. I followed him and reached to dersired terminal . The moment I reached terminal ,The Officers gave me weired look coz I was asking for baggage and flight was about to take off and they were waiting for me because my friend told them that I an coming…then that was second time I felt I am running in Olympics..Finally I reached to my destination with such Adventerous ,Bold and exiciting journey of US.

ur experience is really superb i couldnt stop laughing coz i imagined a person running after his baggage while his flight is going to leave and on the other hand our friend pleading the officers to wait for us ………seeems sooo funny

well i am going for this december to texas corpus cristi hope i will not face an olympic race like u …………hey i still couldnt stop laughing

Firstly im exited. U know why? since from 3 years ive been posting a lot of comments on this blog but u really never replied me… for the first time u answered. May be this is the start of exitement for my journey to TEXAS.

Well for sure i will share my experience not just ive faced it but because HSB replied me and now… ive already made up my mind to visit south padre islands

I came by the British airways and got an upgrade from Heath row to business class. It was very cold there but was an amazing journey with amazing food there on. But i was in the middle row and i wanted the window seat. When I landed in Dallas, my port of entry, I was a little tensed as a lot of inspection and an interview also takes place at the POE. I had to wait for a while in the airport as it took 2 hrs for all the interviews to take place which was just a casual talk. A police officer picked me up out of a long queue and asked for my passport and went to others had some chat and came back to give me it back. I was a little nervous then. After all that I went to my terminal and saw a free internet. I emailed my brother and family about me reaching Dallas and was relieved then. Dallas seemed to me a dull place, it was very hot outside and a hot afternoon was spoiling the mood. I left for Tucson then and the flight was exciting as the ppl I met were truly friendly and always smiling unlike in India [Content Removed – Admin]. When I landed Tucson, I saw police officers on cycles and asked him wer can i get taxi? He showed me the place, i took taxi and went to my destination. Although I must be proud that I have made it this far, but MS is not all about reaching here. MS is a pain in the ass as it requires a lot of hard work and course is very rigorous because of which one is always in tension of everything as everything has grades and counts. Some subject are too difficult to handle and a lot of ppl fail, some are even kicked out of the college for not performing and i must tell you the difference is not much between their grades and the surviving ones.

My first time flight to USA was in 1993. I was on my way to Columbus, Ohio. There were 8 of us in the group. All of us had only one mission: To pass our undergraduate study with flying colors. I was beaming with happiness at the airport. The thing that I remembered most about the flight, was the appetite that I have throughout the journey. Most of my friends were homesick thinking about their family and relatives they left behind. They did not have the proclivity for food, but I felt totally the apposite. I managed to finished up my friend's meal who has no inclination to eat throughout the whole journey. All of my friends were flabbergasted with my new hobby that I have attained during the journey to USA.

During my childhood I was very curious about air planes. I thought the people going by plane would be very rich and I might not get into a plane in my life.

But after my brother got F1 visa I was like excited and he got a cheap bag (such was our financial situation then), tied it with ropes and left. Eventually one of the bags broke and the ropes kept the things tight. His friends helped him at the airport. At that time I thought one day I will also get into a plane.

But my first flight was international one to Singapore on a personal visit. I was really thrilled about the whole journey. Later when there were lot of airlines in India I flew several times here and there.

Coming to US was one big story. It was like hell after going through all this security check ups, change of flights, long journey, uncomfortable last seat, long immigration queue, old immigration officer taking 5mins to allow each person, running to catch next flight, missing the flight, luckily getting another domestic flight ticket, taking cab going to another airport, reaching destination and baggage didn't come – held at other airport. Oh My God. This was my experience coming to US for the first time.

Now it is a headache to get into flight, so much security screenings, lot of crowd, flight delays and cancellations.

I have traveled quite a bit on different airlines in India and US, but my only memorable experience was with the Kingfisher airlines which landed so smoothly that no one felt whether the flight was in the air or touching the ground, a perfect landing in my opinion.

My younger son went to USC for doing his MS-CS, August last year and I am a regular reader of all the features in HSB.

Every word stated in the article “WHY YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF STUDYING IN USA” is true to the heart.

I still remember that it was only a dream without any iota that I can really send my son to US for higher studies. He really made an untiring effort himself to explore the possibilities. I just supported him morally.

It was really very difficult for me to convince myself that I will be able to afford his studies in US, but somehow I maintained my courage and never let him getting discouraged.

At last, in July 2009, he got his Visa for USC, LA and we all were very excited. Simultaneously, I was very scared from inside that a young boy, who had never been to a foreign country alone, will be making it to the farthest place on the earth, all on his own.

I remember that I gave him word by word guidance written on paper – what & how to do various procedures at Delhi airport, Seoul airport & Los Angeles airport.

Although, I could maintain my calm all through he entered inside Delhi airport, talking to us till he boarded his flight, I lost my entire cool and burst into unstoppable tears, moment his flight departed.

I could console myself partially, only when he chatted with us thru internet while at Seoul Airport.

Next morning, I woke up at 04.00AM (IST) and was continuously trying his Airtel number (which I gave him with International roaming), as his flight was supposed to land at LA at 04.40AM. Every time, I found his mobile switch off. At last, he called me at 06.15AM and told me that he is standing out of LA airport with all his baggage and searching for a coach. After another 45 minutes he called and told that he has reached his flat.

Even today, it is difficult to recollect – how we passed those 30 hours.

Initially first 2 – 3 months were very difficult for him, getting adjusting to new country, new environment, Study pressures etc. etc.

At one point of time, I even told him to come back if he is not able to cope up. But hats off to him, he really managed despite all odds. It was only his will power and determination to succeed.

Although, we miss him a lot and at times, get so much sentimental, But today we are really proud parent and even thinking of sending my elder son also, for doing MS-CS (although he is already in job, married and having a 3 months old son).

This is the result of my younger son’s un-comparable hard work and un-matched determination.

HSB had really helped us a lot in keeping us updated on various issues. My younger son got his new passport (while in US), with separate Given name and separate Sir name following the guidelines given in one of the HSB’s article.

Now, we are eagerly waiting for him to come home in winter holidays in December, may be just for 3 weeks.

From the core of my heart, I wish HSB all the best and continue guiding so many students & parents.

🙂 I had 5 international trips (including US for 4 times), But this time I came for pursuing my MS in my dream area of interest. I still remember the tears in my mother’s eyes and all other family members. But yeah I knew that I am going for a good reason. Interestingly I too got my ticket in Business class (upgraded) till Frankfurt 🙂 …

Thanks for your given above information. Same as felt which yoy have mentioned above. First time when we left airport to my daughter we tear. Any how we are very very proudly say that my daughter is now studing master of science (2nd year).

Please I really want to know if this experience of being proud studying in USA happens to only people studying in USA. What about people studing in other countries like Canada, Australia, etc. I got full scholarship to study in the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia for my PhD. I also got others to study in Canada (University of Regina and University of waterloo) for my masters and USA (Indiana University) for my masters as well but I decided to go for that of Australia because the funding is quite more. I do not want to pay more attention about their rankings, though UNSW even rank higher than the two in most world rankings but I did not make my decision based on their rankings. Do you guys think I made the right choice. What's so special about studying in the USA. Can somene please clarify me please. Please I need your thoughts because I can still have a rethink. I am from Nigeria and I majored in Mechanical Engineering in my B.Eng and graduated with a First Class Honours (CGPA=4.60/5.00=92%). Can someone tell me if I have better prospects in big schools in USA like MIT, etc. Thanks for your anticipated responses.

Selecting country just because funding is available is not the right way. There is something called career after education. You are thinking of saving money for 2 years, but what about earning money for rest of your life?

Hey HSB, you are absolutely right no doubt. Infact, I chose Australia so I could save a lot of money and cater for my parents and siblings. But, your answer is very complicated…does it mean that someone obtaining a masters degree outside USA cannot have a very good career after education. Please I need more convictions on the issues raised because you did not attend to most of my questions. Many thanks!!!

indeed it is a proud thing to study in the US, but am finding it like an herculean task because i obviously to do not have a good link and lead to go about it from my own country Nigeria, do have a good lead aside online that i can alternately directed to, i will be keen on a reply

All this stuff about “going up socio-economic ladder” is really a very narrow way to look at things. Yes, you will live independently and no one is denying that it took a lot of effort and smarts to get through to a university of your choice…talking about social status just belittles the whole exercise as if the ONLY reason you are going there is not to get an education but to get the so-called respect of narrow minded people for whom US return is a bigger deal.